Occupation Profile

Security Guards

(SOC Code : 33-9032)

in California

Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment. Excludes “Transportation Security Screeners” (33-9093).

Employers usually expect an employee in this occupation to be able to do the job after Short-term on-the-job training .

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Occupational Wages

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Area	Year	Period	Hourly Mean	Hourly by Percentile
				25th	Median	75th
California	2012	1st Qtr	$13.51	$10.19	$12.05	$14.85

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")

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Area	Estimated Year-Projected Year	Employment		Employment Change		Annual Avg Openings
		Estimated	Projected	Number	Percent
California	2010 - 2020	134,400	159,500	25,100	18.7	4,640

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Job Openings from JobCentral National Labor Exchange

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Enter a Zip Code Find a Zip code in California

Within miles of Zip Code.

Possible Licenses Required and Issuing Authority

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License Title

License Authority

Proprietary Private Security Officer

Department of Consumer Affairs
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
www.bsis.ca.gov

Baton Permit

Department of Consumer Affairs
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
www.bsis.ca.gov

Exposed Firearm Permit

Department of Consumer Affairs
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
www.bsis.ca.gov

Security Guard Registration

Department of Consumer Affairs
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
www.bsis.ca.gov

About Licenses

Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)

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Industry Title

Number of Employers in State of California

Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California

Investigation and Security Services

9,000

66.9%

Elementary and Secondary Schools

17,985

2.8%

Department Stores

3,486

2.3%

Accommodation

11,143

1.9%

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)

3,659

1.8%

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

1,393

1.4%

Full-Service Restaurants

30,594

1.0%

About Staffing Patterns

Data for Training Programs not available.

About Training & Apprenticeships

About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)

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Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)

Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.

Write reports of daily activities and irregularities such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences.

Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire or presence of unauthorized persons.

Answer alarms and investigate disturbances.

Circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.

Patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.

Escort or drive motor vehicle to transport individuals to specified locations or to provide personal protection.

Operate detecting devices to screen individuals and prevent passage of prohibited articles into restricted areas.

Answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed.

Warn persons of rule infractions or violations, and apprehend or evict violators from premises, using force when necessary.

More Tasks for Security Guards

Top Skills used in this Job

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others` actions.

Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others` reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

More Skills for Security Guards

Data for Tasks not available.

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Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)

Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.

Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

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Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)

Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

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Alternate Titles

Security Officers; Campus Security Officers; Bodyguards; Bouncers; Armored Car Guards, and Store Detectives.